[A case of giant-size mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parotid gland].

INTRODUCTION

A mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare disease of the salivary glands. It usually occurs as a small tumor (a few centimeters diameter). The most important diagnostic procedure for the treatment is a histological examination.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We present the case of 71 years old woman with giant in size tumor of the left parotid gland. The tumor had developed in the three years' time and no paresis of the facial nerve had occurred during that time. Preoperative fine needle aspiration biopsy of the parotid gland masses showed pleomorphic adenoma cells.

RESULTS

The surgery treatment was introduced. The function of the facial nerve was preserved. The histological examination result was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. We observed local recurrence of the tumor five months after the operation. But there was still no facial nerve paralysis. The patient was submitted to the radiotherapy treatment.

CONCLUSION

The big size of the tumor may be an obstacle in full resection during an operation. The false negative results during a fine needle aspiration and preserved normal function of the facial nerve can cause correct treatment as an extremely difficult goal.